Latest news with #JoostKlein
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who is Claude? Meet the Netherlands' Eurovision 2025 contestant
Following their tumultuous participation in last year's contest, the Netherlands are back for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 and hoping that singer Claude will be less controversial. In 2024, Dutch artist Joost Klein was disqualified from Eurovision following an 'incident', just hours before the Grand Final in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday 11 May. At the time, representatives for the Netherlands broadcaster AVROTROS said the decision was 'disproportionate'. Eurovision said its decision was in keeping with its 'zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the contest'.Claude was chosen after a careful selection process conducted by AVROTROS, which received 331 entries in its call for song submissions. He then went into the studio with co-writers Arno Krabman, Joren van der Voort and Leon Palmen, intent on writing the perfect song for Eurovision 2025. Read our Q&A with Claude below: I was born in Congo and from my youngest years I sang together with my mother and siblings. When I came to the Netherlands at the age of nine, we watched the Eurovision Song Contest together for the first time and saw Conchita Wurst win with 'Rise like a Phoenix'. That's when my love for music was further ignited. People in the industry asked me if the Eurovision Song Contest wouldn't be something for me. Then I thought 'Why not'. I went into the studio with my team and that's where 'C'est La Vie' came to life. We then submitted this song and eventually the selection committee in the Netherlands decided that I could represent our country with 'C'est La Vie'. A huge honor! 'C'est La Vie' is a tribute to a parent and for me that's my mother. As a little boy and throughout my youth, she taught me to see the positive in the things you experience in life, even when you experience setbacks. Even though it looks very dark for a moment, you should always focus on the bright side. That is exactly the message I want to convey. Life is not always easy; it goes up, it goes down, and around and around, but 'C'est La Vie!'. I am very excited to be on that big stage on Tuesday night and to be part of this big and huge music event. I would say: PARTY!
Euronews
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Ukraine and Sweden qualify in first round of Eurovision semi finals
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off on Tuesday night in Switzerland (the country that hosted the first ever contest back in 1956!), with the hot favourites and sauna-obsessed Swedish entry KAJ among the opening acts. In the first of two semi-finals, 15 countries vied for a spot in Saturday's grand final. Ten advanced. Five went home. Joining the Swedish trio in the final is another standout act: 21-year-old Dutch singer Claude, who earned a spot with 'C'est La Vie', a moody, French café-style ballad which erupts into a thumping Caribbean zouk dance track. Alongside KAJ, it's one of our favourites to win here at Euronews Culture. The artist hopes to deliver a strong result for his country after the Netherlands' 2024 contestant, Joost Klein, was kicked out of Eurovision last year over a backstage altercation. Other acts moving on include Icelandic brother-rap duo VAEB with their rowing anthem 'Róa'; Norway's Kyle Alessandro with the emotional 'Lighter'; and not one but two hyper-Italian tracks from countries that aren't Italy - San Marino's DJ Gabry Ponte with 'Tutta L'Italia' and Estonia's Tommy Cash with the caffeine-fueled 'Espresso Macchiato'. Ukraine, Portugal, Poland, and Albania also clinched spots in the final. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, and Slovenia failed to make the cut. Tuesday's showdown and a second semi-final on Thursday will narrow the field of 37 nations down to 26 who will compete in Saturday's grand final. Twenty finalists will be decided by viewers' votes, while six countries automatically qualify for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the 'Big Five' who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
The Advertiser
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Sauna-loving Swedes gather steam for Eurovision final
Competition has kicked off in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two semi-finals in the pan-continental music extravaganza. Performers from 15 countries battled it out in front of thousands of fans in Basel, Switzerland for 10 spots in Saturday's final, with the result decided by viewers' votes. Betting market favourites KAJ, a trio of Swedish-speaking Finns, performed Bara Bada Bastu, a catchy ode to steam and heat whose title translates roughly as "just take a sauna", accompanied by dancers dressed as lumberjacks and clad in towels. Joining KAJ in the final is another favourite with oddsmakers, 21-year-old Dutch singer Claude with soulful, Parisian-style ballad C'est La Vie. Claude hopes to win for his country after the Netherlands' 2024 contestant, Joost Klein, was kicked out of Eurovision over a backstage altercation. Others voted into the final include Icelandic brother duo VAEB with a rap song about rowing, Róa, Norwegian singer Kyle Alessandro's Lighter and two uber-Italian songs that aren't from Italy: DJ Gabry Ponte, representing San Marino with the upbeat Tutta L'Italia and the highly caffeinated Espresso Macchiato by Estonia's Tommy Cash. Ukraine, Portugal, Poland and Albania also made the final. Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus and Slovenia were eliminated. Music fans across Europe and beyond have travelled to the northern Swiss city of Basel, which is hosting Eurovision because Swiss singer Nemo won last year's contest in Sweden. Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who won Eurovision for Switzerland before she became a mega-star, sent a video message that was played before some of last year's competitors performed her 1988 contest-winning song, Ne partez pas sans moi. Viewers were also entertained with a comic song performed by hosts Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer celebrating Swiss inventions including the Swiss Army knife, muesli, processed cheese - and Eurovision, first staged in Lausanne in 1956. Tuesday's showdown and a second semi-final on Thursday will narrow the field of 37 nations down to 26 who will compete in Saturday's grand final. Twenty finalists will be decided by viewers' votes, while six countries automatically qualify for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the "Big Five" who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Flying the flag for Australia is singer-songwriter Marty Zambotto, better known by his stage name Go-Jo, who will perform Milkshake Man in Thursday's semi-final (on Friday, Australian time). Eurovision was founded partly to foster unity on a continent scarred by World War II, and its motto is United by Music. But political divisions often cloud the contest, despite organisers' efforts to keep politics out. Officials say more than 1000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and organisers are expecting protests against Israel's participation because of the country's conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza. A demonstration against anti-Semitism is also planned on Thursday, the day Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs in the second semi-final. Raphael is a survivor of Hamas militants' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed 1200 people. More than 52,800 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Following tensions over Israel's participation and Klein's expulsion in 2024, the European Broadcasting Union that organises Eurovision has tightened the contest's code of conduct, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of "universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity" and its political neutrality. Audience members will be allowed to wave Palestinian flags inside Basel's St Jakobshalle arena, after a contentious ban last year. Participants, however, can only wave their own national flag onstage or in other on-camera areas. Some delegations have protested that effectively bans LGBTQI pride flags from an event with a huge gay following. Competition has kicked off in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two semi-finals in the pan-continental music extravaganza. Performers from 15 countries battled it out in front of thousands of fans in Basel, Switzerland for 10 spots in Saturday's final, with the result decided by viewers' votes. Betting market favourites KAJ, a trio of Swedish-speaking Finns, performed Bara Bada Bastu, a catchy ode to steam and heat whose title translates roughly as "just take a sauna", accompanied by dancers dressed as lumberjacks and clad in towels. Joining KAJ in the final is another favourite with oddsmakers, 21-year-old Dutch singer Claude with soulful, Parisian-style ballad C'est La Vie. Claude hopes to win for his country after the Netherlands' 2024 contestant, Joost Klein, was kicked out of Eurovision over a backstage altercation. Others voted into the final include Icelandic brother duo VAEB with a rap song about rowing, Róa, Norwegian singer Kyle Alessandro's Lighter and two uber-Italian songs that aren't from Italy: DJ Gabry Ponte, representing San Marino with the upbeat Tutta L'Italia and the highly caffeinated Espresso Macchiato by Estonia's Tommy Cash. Ukraine, Portugal, Poland and Albania also made the final. Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus and Slovenia were eliminated. Music fans across Europe and beyond have travelled to the northern Swiss city of Basel, which is hosting Eurovision because Swiss singer Nemo won last year's contest in Sweden. Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who won Eurovision for Switzerland before she became a mega-star, sent a video message that was played before some of last year's competitors performed her 1988 contest-winning song, Ne partez pas sans moi. Viewers were also entertained with a comic song performed by hosts Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer celebrating Swiss inventions including the Swiss Army knife, muesli, processed cheese - and Eurovision, first staged in Lausanne in 1956. Tuesday's showdown and a second semi-final on Thursday will narrow the field of 37 nations down to 26 who will compete in Saturday's grand final. Twenty finalists will be decided by viewers' votes, while six countries automatically qualify for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the "Big Five" who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Flying the flag for Australia is singer-songwriter Marty Zambotto, better known by his stage name Go-Jo, who will perform Milkshake Man in Thursday's semi-final (on Friday, Australian time). Eurovision was founded partly to foster unity on a continent scarred by World War II, and its motto is United by Music. But political divisions often cloud the contest, despite organisers' efforts to keep politics out. Officials say more than 1000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and organisers are expecting protests against Israel's participation because of the country's conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza. A demonstration against anti-Semitism is also planned on Thursday, the day Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs in the second semi-final. Raphael is a survivor of Hamas militants' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed 1200 people. More than 52,800 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Following tensions over Israel's participation and Klein's expulsion in 2024, the European Broadcasting Union that organises Eurovision has tightened the contest's code of conduct, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of "universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity" and its political neutrality. Audience members will be allowed to wave Palestinian flags inside Basel's St Jakobshalle arena, after a contentious ban last year. Participants, however, can only wave their own national flag onstage or in other on-camera areas. Some delegations have protested that effectively bans LGBTQI pride flags from an event with a huge gay following. Competition has kicked off in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two semi-finals in the pan-continental music extravaganza. Performers from 15 countries battled it out in front of thousands of fans in Basel, Switzerland for 10 spots in Saturday's final, with the result decided by viewers' votes. Betting market favourites KAJ, a trio of Swedish-speaking Finns, performed Bara Bada Bastu, a catchy ode to steam and heat whose title translates roughly as "just take a sauna", accompanied by dancers dressed as lumberjacks and clad in towels. Joining KAJ in the final is another favourite with oddsmakers, 21-year-old Dutch singer Claude with soulful, Parisian-style ballad C'est La Vie. Claude hopes to win for his country after the Netherlands' 2024 contestant, Joost Klein, was kicked out of Eurovision over a backstage altercation. Others voted into the final include Icelandic brother duo VAEB with a rap song about rowing, Róa, Norwegian singer Kyle Alessandro's Lighter and two uber-Italian songs that aren't from Italy: DJ Gabry Ponte, representing San Marino with the upbeat Tutta L'Italia and the highly caffeinated Espresso Macchiato by Estonia's Tommy Cash. Ukraine, Portugal, Poland and Albania also made the final. Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus and Slovenia were eliminated. Music fans across Europe and beyond have travelled to the northern Swiss city of Basel, which is hosting Eurovision because Swiss singer Nemo won last year's contest in Sweden. Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who won Eurovision for Switzerland before she became a mega-star, sent a video message that was played before some of last year's competitors performed her 1988 contest-winning song, Ne partez pas sans moi. Viewers were also entertained with a comic song performed by hosts Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer celebrating Swiss inventions including the Swiss Army knife, muesli, processed cheese - and Eurovision, first staged in Lausanne in 1956. Tuesday's showdown and a second semi-final on Thursday will narrow the field of 37 nations down to 26 who will compete in Saturday's grand final. Twenty finalists will be decided by viewers' votes, while six countries automatically qualify for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the "Big Five" who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Flying the flag for Australia is singer-songwriter Marty Zambotto, better known by his stage name Go-Jo, who will perform Milkshake Man in Thursday's semi-final (on Friday, Australian time). Eurovision was founded partly to foster unity on a continent scarred by World War II, and its motto is United by Music. But political divisions often cloud the contest, despite organisers' efforts to keep politics out. Officials say more than 1000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and organisers are expecting protests against Israel's participation because of the country's conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza. A demonstration against anti-Semitism is also planned on Thursday, the day Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs in the second semi-final. Raphael is a survivor of Hamas militants' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed 1200 people. More than 52,800 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Following tensions over Israel's participation and Klein's expulsion in 2024, the European Broadcasting Union that organises Eurovision has tightened the contest's code of conduct, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of "universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity" and its political neutrality. Audience members will be allowed to wave Palestinian flags inside Basel's St Jakobshalle arena, after a contentious ban last year. Participants, however, can only wave their own national flag onstage or in other on-camera areas. Some delegations have protested that effectively bans LGBTQI pride flags from an event with a huge gay following. Competition has kicked off in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two semi-finals in the pan-continental music extravaganza. Performers from 15 countries battled it out in front of thousands of fans in Basel, Switzerland for 10 spots in Saturday's final, with the result decided by viewers' votes. Betting market favourites KAJ, a trio of Swedish-speaking Finns, performed Bara Bada Bastu, a catchy ode to steam and heat whose title translates roughly as "just take a sauna", accompanied by dancers dressed as lumberjacks and clad in towels. Joining KAJ in the final is another favourite with oddsmakers, 21-year-old Dutch singer Claude with soulful, Parisian-style ballad C'est La Vie. Claude hopes to win for his country after the Netherlands' 2024 contestant, Joost Klein, was kicked out of Eurovision over a backstage altercation. Others voted into the final include Icelandic brother duo VAEB with a rap song about rowing, Róa, Norwegian singer Kyle Alessandro's Lighter and two uber-Italian songs that aren't from Italy: DJ Gabry Ponte, representing San Marino with the upbeat Tutta L'Italia and the highly caffeinated Espresso Macchiato by Estonia's Tommy Cash. Ukraine, Portugal, Poland and Albania also made the final. Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus and Slovenia were eliminated. Music fans across Europe and beyond have travelled to the northern Swiss city of Basel, which is hosting Eurovision because Swiss singer Nemo won last year's contest in Sweden. Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who won Eurovision for Switzerland before she became a mega-star, sent a video message that was played before some of last year's competitors performed her 1988 contest-winning song, Ne partez pas sans moi. Viewers were also entertained with a comic song performed by hosts Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer celebrating Swiss inventions including the Swiss Army knife, muesli, processed cheese - and Eurovision, first staged in Lausanne in 1956. Tuesday's showdown and a second semi-final on Thursday will narrow the field of 37 nations down to 26 who will compete in Saturday's grand final. Twenty finalists will be decided by viewers' votes, while six countries automatically qualify for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the "Big Five" who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Flying the flag for Australia is singer-songwriter Marty Zambotto, better known by his stage name Go-Jo, who will perform Milkshake Man in Thursday's semi-final (on Friday, Australian time). Eurovision was founded partly to foster unity on a continent scarred by World War II, and its motto is United by Music. But political divisions often cloud the contest, despite organisers' efforts to keep politics out. Officials say more than 1000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and organisers are expecting protests against Israel's participation because of the country's conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza. A demonstration against anti-Semitism is also planned on Thursday, the day Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs in the second semi-final. Raphael is a survivor of Hamas militants' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed 1200 people. More than 52,800 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Following tensions over Israel's participation and Klein's expulsion in 2024, the European Broadcasting Union that organises Eurovision has tightened the contest's code of conduct, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of "universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity" and its political neutrality. Audience members will be allowed to wave Palestinian flags inside Basel's St Jakobshalle arena, after a contentious ban last year. Participants, however, can only wave their own national flag onstage or in other on-camera areas. Some delegations have protested that effectively bans LGBTQI pride flags from an event with a huge gay following.
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Sauna-loving Swedes gather steam for Eurovision final
Competition has kicked off in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two semi-finals in the pan-continental music extravaganza. Performers from 15 countries battled it out in front of thousands of fans in Basel, Switzerland for 10 spots in Saturday's final, with the result decided by viewers' votes. Betting market favourites KAJ, a trio of Swedish-speaking Finns, performed Bara Bada Bastu, a catchy ode to steam and heat whose title translates roughly as 'just take a sauna', accompanied by dancers dressed as lumberjacks and clad in towels. Joining KAJ in the final is another favourite with oddsmakers, 21-year-old Dutch singer Claude with soulful, Parisian-style ballad C'est La Vie. Claude hopes to win for his country after the Netherlands' 2024 contestant, Joost Klein, was kicked out of Eurovision over a backstage altercation. Others voted into the final include Icelandic brother duo VAEB with a rap song about rowing, R?a, Norwegian singer Kyle Alessandro's Lighter and two uber-Italian songs that aren't from Italy: DJ Gabry Ponte, representing San Marino with the upbeat Tutta L'Italia and the highly caffeinated Espresso Macchiato by Estonia's Tommy Cash. Ukraine, Portugal, Poland and Albania also made the final. Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus and Slovenia were eliminated. Music fans across Europe and beyond have travelled to the northern Swiss city of Basel, which is hosting Eurovision because Swiss singer Nemo won last year's contest in Sweden. Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who won Eurovision for Switzerland before she became a mega-star, sent a video message that was played before some of last year's competitors performed her 1988 contest-winning song, Ne partez pas sans moi. Viewers were also entertained with a comic song performed by hosts Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer celebrating Swiss inventions including the Swiss Army knife, muesli, processed cheese - and Eurovision, first staged in Lausanne in 1956. Tuesday's showdown and a second semi-final on Thursday will narrow the field of 37 nations down to 26 who will compete in Saturday's grand final. Twenty finalists will be decided by viewers' votes, while six countries automatically qualify for the final: the host, Switzerland, and the 'Big Five' who pay the most to the contest - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Flying the flag for Australia is singer-songwriter Marty Zambotto, better known by his stage name Go-Jo, who will perform Milkshake Man in Thursday's semi-final (on Friday, Australian time). Eurovision was founded partly to foster unity on a continent scarred by World War II, and its motto is United by Music. But political divisions often cloud the contest, despite organisers' efforts to keep politics out. Officials say more than 1000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and organisers are expecting protests against Israel's participation because of the country's conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza. A demonstration against anti-Semitism is also planned on Thursday, the day Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs in the second semi-final. Raphael is a survivor of Hamas militants' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed 1200 people. More than 52,800 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Following tensions over Israel's participation and Klein's expulsion in 2024, the European Broadcasting Union that organises Eurovision has tightened the contest's code of conduct, calling on participants to respect Eurovision's values of 'universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity' and its political neutrality. Audience members will be allowed to wave Palestinian flags inside Basel's St Jakobshalle arena, after a contentious ban last year. Participants, however, can only wave their own national flag onstage or in other on-camera areas. Some delegations have protested that effectively bans LGBTQI pride flags from an event with a huge gay following.
North Wales Chronicle
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Dutch belt out their return to Eurovision with violins
Claude Kiambe, 21, surrounded by violinists, sang out his track C'est La Vie, a blend of English and French that promotes a message of dealing with life as it is, at the Basel arena St Jakobshalle. The UK cannot vote in the first semi-final as only countries performing in each of the semi-finals can. So British fans need to wait until Thursday – when Remember Monday perform What The Hell Just Happened? – to support their favourites. The voting on Tuesday evening will reveal which 10 acts are through to the final. The contest is taking place in Switzerland, where the competition began in Lugano in 1956, and following Malmo 2024 when Dutch singer Joost Klein was kicked out by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over alleged verbal threats to a female production worker, which he denied. Also attracting attention was Estonia's Tommy Cash, who flicked his feet around the stage while singing the silly Espresso Macchiato, which referenced typical Italian phrases, and a screen behind him on stage said 'winner's cafe'. The performance also featured a fake fan, appearing to leap out at him before being caught by on-stage security guards and dancing with him as the screen changed to a 'Tommywood sign', referencing Hollywood. Earlier, Icelandic electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson, known as Vaeb, started the event with their energetic Roa – complete with matching silvery outfits, ending with a group hug. Opting for a quieter and simpler staging surrounded by lights, Slovenia's Klemen belted out his entry How Much Time Do We Have Left, and ended saying 'thank you everybody, we love you' to the crowd. Favourites, Sweden's act Kaj had a co-ordinated dance for their song Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna). It saw dancers acting as lumberjacks, and in a fake sauna stage wearing towels – while the Swedish-speaking singers, from Finland, were dressed in dark green suits. A translation of Italian glam rocker Lucio Corsi's Volevo Essere Un Duro (I Wanted To Be A Tough Guy), was displayed in the broadcast, after Eurovision confirmed there were artists singing in 20 different languages this year, the most since national language requirements were eased in the 1990s. Italy along with Switzerland's Zoe Me are already through, with the Basel-born singer opting to go for simple staging on Tuesday for French language song Voyage, as camera tricks were used to emphasise the dramatic beats, similar to Olly Alexander's Dizzy in 2024, who used the same stage director. Last to take to the stage was Cyprus's Theo Evan's with Shh. On Tuesday, Basel's local government released figures saying that more than 38,000 people have visited its European Village since the free event began on Saturday until Monday. Basel police confirmed that a protest against antisemitism will take place in Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday, before Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performs in the second Eurovision semi-final that same day. A pro-Palestinian group is planning a large demonstration on both Wednesday and Saturday. Wednesday's action will be a 'silent march', the group Basel for Palestine has said. During a demonstration at the opening ceremony on Sunday, the police received a report of 'threatening gestures', that appeared to be directed at Raphael while she took part in the opening ceremony. Israel's government shared a clip on X from the protest on Sunday, and said: 'Israel's Eurovision representative Yuval Raphael, a Nova massacre survivor, was 'welcomed' in Basel by a hostile crowd of pro-Hamas protesters. 'Yet she stands tall, singing for her country. Her love will always outshine their hate.'
